Carrying case for musical instruments



Jan. 1, 1935. N, v. GEIB CARRYING CASE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 18, 1932 Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES GARRYING CASE FOR MUSICALv INSTRUMENTS.

Nicholas, Geib, Chicago, lll., assignm to Geib 8;

Schaeferpm, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 18, 1932. Serial; K045932110; I

3 Claims. (01. 150-52) The invention relates to carrying cases for musical instruments. a i

The primary object of theinvention is-to provide an instrument carrying case which is collapsible so it will occupy but very little space in shipment or storage, and which is comparatively light in weight and can be produced at a low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present carrying case will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description. I

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a perspective of a case embodying the invention and containing a musical instrument for which the case is designed. Fig. 2 is a perspective showing the case collapsed for shipment or storage. Fig. 3 is a cross section of the case in its operative position. Fig. 4 is a cross section of the case in its collapsed position.

The invention is exemplified in acarrying case which consists of a top 5, and a bottom 6, each formed of a comparatively stiff sheet of material, such as fibreboard. The top and bottom each have portions conforming to the body and neck of the musical instrument for which the case is designed, such as a guitar, and their margins project laterally beyond the instrument. The fibreboard of the top and bottom is somewhat flexible but of suflicient stiffness to protect the top and bottom of the guitar. The top and bottom sheets each have an inside lining of suitable fabric, such as velvet '7, for preventing the case from abrading the musical instrument. The outer faces of the top and bottom 5 and 6 are lined with material, such as a waterproof canvas 8.

The sides and ends of thecase are formed of a strip 10 of flexible fabric, such as linen, canvas, or silk which may be waterproofed. This strip 10 has its lower margin lapped around and stitched, as at 11, to the margin of the bottom 6, and its upper margin lapped around and stitched to the margin of the top 5 of the case. By virtue of the fact that the strip is formed of flexible fabric the case is collapsible, and as shown in Fig. 4 when the instrument is removed, the sides and ends fold inwardly between the top and bottom.

The portion of the strip 10 that forms the wide end of the case between the top and bottom is provided with a slit, as at 13*, so that the instrument maybe inserted between the top- 5 and bottom. 6'. The slitted portion of the strip is provided with a hooklessfastener 14 whereby the case may be closed. When the fastener 14 .5; is closed, the instrument will be held and completely enclosed within the case. A handle 15, formed of a strip of flexible cloth, has its ends stitched to one side of the fabric 10. This handle, being formed of flexible material, can be 10 folded between the top and bottom when the case is collapsed.

When the case is not in use, it will be collapsed as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, so it can be stored or shipped in a small. space. When the 15 case is to be used, the instrument is inserted through the slit 13, and the instrument itself will hold the top and bottom apart. When the slit is closed by the fastener 14, the instrument will be completely enclosed.

The invention exemplifies a carrying case for a musical instrument, which comprises comparatively stiff top and bottom members and a freely flexible connecting member forming sides and ends which will collapse when the instrument is removed and which can be expanded when the instrument is inserted in the case. The case can be producedat a low cost, and can be made very light in weight. In many instances space is not available for storing a number of instrument cases, when they are not in use, and the collapsibility of the cases makes it possible to store a group of them in a very small space. When the cases are collapsed, they can be packed into small space for shipment.

, The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1

1. As a new article of manufacture, a carrying case for a guitar or like musical instrument, comprising a top and a bottom, each formed of sheet material of sufficient stiffness to hold its natural shape inherently and to protect the guitar and having its margin shaped to conform to the contour of the neck and body of the guitar, a continuous strip of freely flexible material extending between and united to the margins of the top and bottom and forming freely collapsible sides and ends which permit the top and bottom to be brought together when the case is empty said strip having a longitudinal slit in the larger end forming 'portion thereof for permitting the guitar to be inserted into and removed from the case, means for closing the slit, and a handle secured to one of the side forming portions of the strip and foldable with said portion between the top and the bottom.

2. As a new'arti'cle ofmanufacture, a carrying case fora guitar 'or like musical instrument,

comprising a top and a bottom, each formed of comparatively stiff fibreboard and having an outer facing of substantially Waterproof fabric, and also having its margin shaped to conform to the neck and body of the guitar, a continuous strip of freely flexible fabric extending, between and stitched to the margins of the top and bottom and forming freely collapsible sides and ends which permit the top and bottom to be brought together into a collapsed position when the case is empty, said strip having a marginal slit in the larger end forming portion thereof for permittingthe 'guitarto be inserted into and removed from the case,.means for closing the slit, and a handle of fiexiblematerial secured to, one of theside forming portions of the strip 1,986,393 n and foldable with said portion between the top 4 and bottom.

3. As a new article of maunfacture, a carrying case for a guitar or like musical instrument comprising a top and a bottom, each formed of comparatively stiff fibreboard and having an inner facing or lining of soft fabric and an outer facing-of substantially'wat'er proof fabric, and also having its margin shaped to conform to the neck and body of the guitar, a continuous strip of freely flexible water proof fabric extending between the casing and the margins of 'the top and bottom and forming freely collapsible sides and ends which permit the top and bottom to be 'brought'together into a collapsed position when the case is empty, said strip having a marginal slit in the larger end forming portion thereof'forpermitting the guitar to be inserted into and removed from the case, means for closing the slit and a handle of flexible material securedto one of the side forming portions of the strip and foldable with said portion be-, tween the top and bottom.

1 f NICHOLAS v. GEIB. 

